The NFL's top X-factors are now ex-factors.
Chicago returner Devin Hester will be a spectator this postseason. Same goes for Houston's Andre Davis, Cleveland's Josh Cribbs, Buffalo's Roscoe Parrish and the New York Jets' Leon Washington -- the leaders in what was a record season for returns for touchdowns in the NFL.
There were 25 kickoff returns for touchdowns this season and a combined 42 scores on kickoff and punt returns. The previous records were 18 kickoff return touchdowns in 1998, and 39 combined scores in 2002.
So which special-teamers will step into the breach when the playoffs begin today? Who are the soon-to-be stars ready to tip the scales in favor of their teams, taking advantage of what often is the most overlooked part of games?
A look at some of the players who could make an impact on this wild-card weekend:
* Darren Sproles, San Diego -- When it comes to would-be tacklers, Sproles leaves them sprawled. He's as elusive as they come, which is good for him, considering he's only 5 feet 6 and 181 pounds. In a victory over Indianapolis, he returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns, becoming the first NFL player to do that in a game since Dante Hall in 2002.
Sproles seldom calls for a fair catch -- only twice in 24 fielded punts -- and has fumbled only once in 61 returns.
* Rob Bironas, Tennessee -- No player in the league scored a higher percentage of his team's points than Bironas. The Titans kicker was responsible for 44% of the scoring, tallying 133 of Tennessee's 301 points. According to STATS LLC, the next four players on that list are kickers Mike Nugent of the Jets, Matt Stover of the Ravens, Morten Andersen of the Falcons and Rian Lindell of the Bills -- none of whom made the playoffs.
If Bironas winds up scoring most of Tennessee's points Sunday, the Titans will be in trouble. The Chargers have averaged 30.5 points the last six weeks, second only to Jacksonville's 34.0.
* Nate Burleson, Seattle -- Among the more consistent returners in the game, Burleson was outstanding for the Seahawks, averaging 11.3 yards a punt return in 58 opportunities.
Seattle had a league-high 24 punt returns of 10 yards or longer, exactly double the NFL average.
Burleson is also a playmaker on offense. He caught a team-high seven touchdown passes.
* Josh Brown, Seattle -- After connecting on only two field goals of more than 50 yards in the first 15 games, Brown kicked two more in the regular-season finale.
